A criminal appeal is not a new trial or an opportunity to present new evidence. Instead, appellate courts review the trial record to determine whether legal, constitutional, or procedural errors occurred that may have affected the fairness or outcome of the proceedings. Effective appellate advocacy requires a thorough understanding of criminal law, appellate procedure, and the legal standards governing review. Because appellate deadlines are often strict and criminal appeals involve complex legal issues, obtaining experienced appellate counsel as early as possible can be an important step in protecting a client's legal rights and evaluating available options.